A man is seriously ill in hospital after an attack in a Coventry nightspot.

It happened in front of hundreds of revellers enjoying a night out at the Chicago Rock Cafe, at Coventry SkyDome, just before midnight on Saturday.

Det Con Harry May said the 24-year-old victim was with his girlfriend and two friends.

He said there was ?an argument over nothing? when his girlfriend kept being shoved by people standing near them.

A man suddenly punched the victim in the throat, leaving him lying on the floor bleeding badly and having trouble breathing.

The victim was taken to hospital by ambulance, where it was found his windpipe had been punctured.

He was critically ill for some hours, but his condition today was said to be stable.

Det Con May said door staff at the venue had restrained a 30-year-old man at the scene, who was arrested by police.

Officers who searched the premises later found a small fist knife near the scene of the attack. Forensic tests will be carried out to establish if it was the weapon used.

Det Con May said: ?We urgently want to speak to anyone who saw the incident, or who may have seen the weapon being discarded. The venue was packed to capacity with 550 people so a lot must have seen the attack.?

Witnesses are asked to phone Little Park Street CID on 024 7653 9082.

A 30-year-old man has been charged with wounding and was due before Coventry magistrates today.